Safety apparatus for pit-cages.



R- CUSHION.

SAFETY APPARATUS FOR PIT CAGES. APPLICATION FILED MAYI. 191s.

Patented July 31, 1917.

ROBERT CUSHION, OF BLAGKWOOD, ENGLAND.

SAFETY APPARATUS FOR, PIT-CAGES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 31, 1917.

Application filed May 1, 1915. Serial No. 25,275.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT CUSHION, a subject of the King of England, and residing at Blackwood, in the county of Monmouthshire and the Kingdom of Great Britain, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Safety Apparatus for Pit- Cages, of which the following is a specifica- This invention comprises the use of similar and additional safety ropes, and additional and similar safety drums, to those at present used for winding and lowering purposes at different collieries.

The additional safety drums, will be fixed on a separate shaft, directly in front of the winding and lowering drums, and connected by side rods, and cranks, from the safety drum shaft, to the winding drum shaft.

The winding engine operates both the winding drums, and also the safety drums, in either direction, forward or backward, at equal rates of speed, the cages traveling at speeds suitable to the construction of the drums.

This improved safety apparatus for pit cages, and the like, is suitable where cylindrical drums of equal diameters are used, also suitable for drums of unequal diameters, also suitable for modified conical drums.

In the working of this safety apparatus for pit cages, and the like, the winding ropes pass from the winding drums, over head sheaves in the pit framing, and are attached to bridle-chains which are attached by separate strong bands to the pit cages.

The safety drums are connected to the winding drums, and their safety ropes pass from them, over a pair of sheaves, fixed in the pit framing directly beneath the winding head sheaves, and are connected by separate bridle-chains and separate strong bands to the cages.

The safety ropes will pass from their bridle-chains, up through an encircling link, that will be attached to the bridle-chains of the winding ropes, which will serve to keep the two sets of bridle-chains together in the event of a breakage.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the a view in perspective of the pit framing, and head sheaves with the winding, and safety ropes, passing from the cages, over the sheaves, on to the winding, and safety drums.

Fig. 2 is a view of winding and safety drums, and ropes.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a cage and its supporting means.

In these drawings, A, a represent the winding drums. B, b are the safety drums, which are constructed of equal size to the drums A, a. C, c are the side-rods, connected to cranks, by means of which drums A, a operate drums B, Z), both sets of drums being rotated alternately forward and backward, by the winding engine. D, (Z are the winding ropes, passing from drums A, a over head sheaves E, e, fixed in the pit framing F and on to cages J, 7'. Safety ropes G, 9 pass from drums B, Z) over safety sheaves H, h fixed in the pit framing F below sheaves E, e and on to cages J, j. I, i are the bridle-chains attached to winding ropes D, d and cages J, j. K, is are the safety bridle-chains attached to safety ropes G, g and cages J, j. Safety ropes G, 9 will pass up from bridle chains K, 7a through links L, Z, encircling bridle chains I, i, keeping bridle chains I and K together in the event of a breakage.

I claim A safety apparatus for pit cages comprising a winding and a safety drum, means for driving the drums in unison, cables connected to the drums, cages having suspension bands, bridle chains connected to certain of said bands and the cable of the winding drum, bridle chains connected to remaining bands and to the cable of the safety drum, and a link encircling the bridle chains.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have signed my name in the presence of the subscribing Witnesses this day of April 1915.

ROBERT CUSHION.

Witnesses:

J OHN JONES, JAMns EAST.

Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

